Conspiracy Talk Halted in Anwar Trial

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KUALA LUMPUR - The judge in the trial of Anwar Ibrahim
rejected defense attempts Wednesday to argue that the former Malaysian
deputy prime minister was the victim of a political conspiracy.

Mr. Anwar maintains the sex and corruption charges against him
stem from his rivalry with Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, and has
pleaded not guilty. The criminal proceedings have cast a shadow over summit
talks next week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, with critics
saying the case demonstrates human rights abuses in this Southeast Asian
nation.

During proceedings Wednesday, the defense lawyer Christopher Fernando
hinted that there were irregularities with the letter announcing Mr. Anwar's
firing on Sept. 2.

''The defense of the accused is that there was a political conspiracy
to bring the trumped-up charges, to remove the accused and to destroy him
politically,'' Mr. Fernando said.

Judge Augustine Paul cut him short, saying: ''What you say sounds
like a political speech.''

Undeterred, Mr. Fernando shot back: ''There was a conspiracy.
We will endeavor to show that the crucial witnesses of the prosecution
would be lying in court.''

Judge Paul overruled him, saying: ''I honestly do not think that
has any bearing.''

Separately, Mr. Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said Wednesday
that her husband's arrest had triggered a groundswell of support for change.

''My husband's dismissal was a turning point, and suddenly the whole
nation has come forward, mainly the middle class, and it has crossed all
borders of race, all borders of political parties as well,'' she said.

Miss Azizah also said Wednesday she expected to meet President
Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada during the APEC
meeting.